Inside the pocket dimension, Yoshino gazed up at Shuo Nangong, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Hey, big bro, thanks a ton for saving Yoshinon just now!"
"Yoshino too... thanks."
Shuo grinned, ruffling both their heads. "You two are just too cute. So, Yoshino—if you had to be kidnapped, what color sack would you want to be stuffed in?"
"E-eh?!"
Yoshino's face went from pale to panic in a heartbeat.
Seeing her distress, Shuo quickly backpedaled, waving his hands. "Kidding! Kidding. Don't panic. Actually, Yoshino, Yoshinon—how about coming to my place? My house is pretty big."
At that, Yoshino's cheeks turned as red as fresh apples. She stared at her shoes, fidgeting, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
Not that she was some clueless little girl—far from it. Yoshino was thirty-nine, with more life experience than most people would ever guess. But still, being invited to a guy's house after only meeting twice? All she could think of were those TV dramas where shady uncles lured innocent girls with promises of candy and ended up on the news.
Could Shuo be... one of those infamous lolicons? Was he planning to take her home and—no, no, that was just her overactive imagination running wild. But the images wouldn't stop. Her blush deepened, spreading from her neck right up to her ears.
Shuo, seeing her face go full tomato, couldn't help but laugh. "Relax. I just thought you looked a little lonely, that's all. Don't let your mind run off to weird places."
He flicked her forehead lightly. Yoshino blinked, eyes shimmering with unshed tears, but managed to look up at him, voice barely above a whisper. "But... big brother, why would you help someone as troublesome as me?"
Shuo grinned. This was an easy one. "Troublesome? I actually like you, Yoshino. You're great."
"U-ugh—!" Yoshino's brain short-circuited. Steam practically poured from her ears. She crouched down, hugging her knees, trying to hide her face behind them.
"What's wrong, Yoshino?" Shuo asked, genuinely puzzled.
"It's just... it's the first time anyone except Yoshinon has ever said something like that to me, so..."
A raucous laugh rang out. "Wahahaha!" Yoshinon, ever the troublemaker, flailed her stubby arms. "Big bro, you were super cool back there! But... don't forget, Yoshino's a Spirit. Every time she shows up, stuff gets wrecked and robots come after her. Even so, you'd still take her in?"
Yoshino's shoulders drooped, her expression clouding over with doubt.
Shuo just smiled and shrugged. "You don't need to worry. My house already has a few Spirits living there, and nothing bad's happened. Besides, I've already warned DEM—nobody's going to mess with you anymore. You can live however you want."
As he spoke, he squeezed Yoshino's tiny hand in his, then gently pinched her crimson cheek. "So, relax. Come to my place. You'll be our official mascot from now on!"
"...Mascot?" Yoshino stared at him, dumbfounded. Was that supposed to be comforting? This big brother was definitely a little off.
Shuo just grinned wider. "Oh, and Yoshino, I have a way to cut your link to the neighboring world. Want to try?"
"What way?" she asked, wary but intrigued.
He pointed at his lips. "Kiss!"
Yoshino's face went nuclear. "T-this is..."
She swayed on her feet, dizzy with embarrassment. It was almost too much cute for one dimension.
—
After severing Yoshino's link to the other world—details omitted, for legal reasons—Shuo took her hand and led her out of the pocket dimension.
Sure, Yoshino was a "legal loli." But try explaining that to a judge.
As her fingers curled around his, Yoshino felt it: the connection to her old world was gone, her spiritual power quiet for the first time in years. She felt... human. Ordinary. And honestly? She liked the way Shuo's hand felt in hers—gentle, warm, safe.
Of course, there was still a tiny part of her that wondered if he'd drag her home and do something weird. But when he mentioned there were other Spirits at his place, curiosity got the better of her. What were they like? Would they be as scary as the robots, or... maybe, just maybe, she'd make some friends?
The front door clicked open. Tohka came bounding in, her voice echoing down the hall. "Shuo, you're finally back! You have no idea what Origami—"
She stopped dead, eyes wide, lips trembling. "W-wait... so, Shuo, you like little girls?"
Shuo nearly choked. "No, no, Tohka, calm down! It's not like that!"
Once they reached the living room, Shuo quickly explained Yoshino's situation.
Tohka's eyes lit up. "Oh! Yoshino, you're a Spirit too, like me?"
She practically vibrated with excitement, thrilled at the prospect of a new friend—especially one who was just like her.
Yoshino, for her part, shrank back, nerves on full display.
"Tohka, Yoshino's a little shy. Don't scare her, okay?" Shuo said softly.
Tohka's face fell. She offered a sheepish, apologetic smile. "Sorry! I didn't know you were shy, Yoshino."
Yoshino peeked out from behind her bangs, meeting Tohka's eyes for the first time.
Before she could say a word, Yoshinon piped up, waving. "Hey, you're a Spirit too? Nice to meet you! I'm Yoshinon!"
"Um... hello, I'm Yoshino," the little loli murmured, voice barely audible.
But Tohka wasn't listening. Her gaze was locked on Yoshinon, eyes wide with wonder.
"Whoa, a talking rabbit puppet? That's amazing! Yoshino, where did you buy it? I want one too!"
Yoshinon puffed up indignantly. "Excuse you, I'm not a puppet! I'm Yoshinon, Yoshino's guardian and hero!"
Tohka gasped, even more amazed. "It talks again! Incredible!"
Yoshinon: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
There was a moment of stunned silence as everyone processed Tohka's unique brand of logic. But honestly, it fit her perfectly.
Princess Tohka—curious as ever.
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